Joe
M. hosted another fantastic meet on Lake Chaubunagungamaug in Webster
Massachusetts. Due to scheduling issues with the town this year the
meet was held on a Sunday and about a week earlier in May than is
typical. The new date, high fuel prices and doom & gloom weather
reports did keep a lot of people home, the turn-out was down from
previous years. However the drizzle stopped by 10:15AM and it was
warm enough for several people to wear shorts – by 3:00 the
sun was out and it was beautiful!

Lots
of older 1920’s motors and plenty of fifties classics were present.
The oldest motor I spied was Brook N’s 1920 Evinrude Commercial
3½hp Row Boat Motor, followed by Dan T’s Evinrude Model
N. There was a nice Caille Liberty drive in the parking lot but I
don’t think it made it out on the water. Several Model A Johnsons
from various different years, a Ruddertwin and other Eltos were out
& about.

Of
the classic era the 1958 Evinrudes were out in force, at least 7 of
them ranging from 5½, 7½, 10, 18 and 35hp were seen
running or waiting to run. Walt L. and Frank P. had the Mercury brand
well represented with Mark 15, Mark 20, Merc 200 and his super secret
Wizard Super 10 project motor! An unusual 1950’s outboard worthy
of note was Rick P’s Atco Boatimpeller, and English made air-cooled
Liberty Drive outboard. The Atco saw lots of lake-time after the weather
dried out enough for its Villiers Magneto to function. Also fun &
unusual was Ray S’s display of the awe inspiring power &
sound of twin Neptune Mighty Mites.

Smaller
motors were very popular this year probably due to the ease of portability,
(many of us are not getting any younger), and their smaller fuel requirements.
I know Ken B. put at least 20 miles on his 1956 Johnson 5 ½
and commented at the end of the day he came back with more fuel than
when he left!

Joe
served up his excellent namesake lunch! Thanks to Glenn W for providing
the canopy – though it had pretty much dried out by lunchtime.
Everybody had a great time, this is always one of the Yankee Chapter’s
best meets!

Lake Webster Fun Fact:

In
checking the spelling of the name of the lake, I ran across the following
interesting tidbit in Wikipedia and thought I would share it: “Lake
Webster, is a lake in the town of Webster, Massachusetts, United States.
It is located near the Connecticut border and has a surface area of
1,442 acres (5.83 km²). Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg,
a 45-letter alternative name for this body of water, is often cited
as the longest place name in the United States and one of the longest
in the world. Today, "Webster Lake" may be the name most
used, but some (including many residents of Webster), take pride in
reeling off the longer versions.”

The photos below tell the story of what people brought to the meet.
Thanks to Norm W., Matt M., and Hurricane Harry for the photos.